Some Angels are Dusty February 2023
Last month when the roadblocks and demonstrations were more active, we needed to drive to a far city for a zone conference. With our two assistants, we left later than planned because we wanted to make sure the roads were clear in order to avoid delays. After traveling for nearly 5 hours, we were stopped by a large roadblock with a long line of cars & trucks. We were only an hour's drive from our destination and we didn’t know what to do because we were in the middle of nowhere with no idea of how long we could wait. So we parked our car in order to strategize and to stretch our legs. Just as we got out, a very dusty man on a motorcycle rode by and called out to us in a low voice, "missionaries follow me" and then he disappeared around the corner onto another street behind us. We quickly got back in our car and did a u-turn to follow because we felt we had nothing to lose. As we approached the wall-lined street he disappeared into, we could see that it was blocked with large rocks and there was no way we could get through with our car. Just beyond the blockade was the dusty man seemingly fixing his motorbike. When no one was looking, he glanced up and waved for us to go around the next block and then he went back to fixing his bike as if he was done helping us. We were curious, so we followed his instructions not knowing if we would find a way through.
After a few minutes, we saw him again far away in front of us riding his motorbike again. We continued to pursue him from a distance and he led us out into the isolated desert, far from any eyes. When he finally stopped his bike and we pulled up beside him and rolled down our window. He then gave us further instructions on how to get around the blockade. We couldn’t help but wonder why he wanted to help a car with two gringos and a couple of missionaries. As we thanked him, we offered him some money and he said flatly, "I don't need your handout!” “I could get lynched for this!" He then asked us to please pray for his family.
We were touched by his genuine concern for his family as well as his faith in our prayers. We quickly left so as not to be seen and continued as he directed. We were glad to have a four-wheeled SUV because the route was on a rugged dirt road through the remote desert and it it took us a lot further than what we expected. After traveling more than 30 minutes and feeling like we were going exactly opposite of where we should be, we emerged onto the vacant highway, safely away and on the opposite side of the blockade.
Immediately, we stopped the car and one of our assistants offered a prayer in Spanish expressing our gratitude as well as pleading with God to bless the man and his family. Even several weeks later today, I still do the same. I can’t help but wonder why that guy would risk so much for our convenience. He was obviously very poor and we were in a big fancy SUV. We were never in danger, but we learned later that the road block lasted another 24 hours. The man did not know us except for the white shirts and ties worn by David and the Elders. Later that day, I got a text from another Elder who was describing a completely unrelated incident due to the roadblocks. He said, “God gives crazy miracles in crazy times!” and I had to agree!
